Steeping peess



Jan. 7, 1936.

T. F. sTA cY STEEPING PRESS Filed Feb. 1o, 1954 y 6 Sheets-Sheet l 6Sheets-Sheet 5 *s Jan. 7, 1936. T. F. sTAcY STEEPING PRESS Filed Feb.1o, 1934 Jan. 7, 1936.

T. F. sTAcY 2,027,252

STEEPING PRESS Filed Feb. 1o, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I Y 1 2 ff f fz/ l 1ml! M, cmi

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Jan. 7, 1936.

T. F. sTAcY STEEPING PRESS Filed Feb. 1o, 1934 T, F. sTAcY 2,027,252

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Jan. 7, 1936.

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iatented Jan. 7, i933 STEEPING PRESS raam F. scm. Piqua, om, mmm u n nFrench Oli Mill Machinery Co., Piqua, 01de Application February 1o,19:4, serial No. 'msn 13 Claims.

This invention relates to steeping presses in which pulp sheets aresoaked or steeped for a desired interval of time in a caustic solution,such as caustic soda, after which the pulp sheets are compressed by theuse of a hydraulically operated platen movable lengthwise of or acrossthe press, to expel the excess steeping solution. Such a steeping pressis commonlyutilized in the viscose process of making rayon andcellophane. During the steeping operation the action of the causticsolution upon the pulp or fibrous sheets causes the generation ofconsiderable heat which is very objectionable, particularly where thetemperature of the surrounding air is high. The best results areobtained where the temperature of the pulp and caustic, during thesteeping operation, are maintained approximately uniform or conetant.The use of cooling coils or pipes which project into the steepingcompartment of the tank are unsatisfactory for various reasons, amongwhich may be mentioned the frequent trouble v from leaks and the lack ofuniformity in the cooling action in dierent parts of the tank and thefact that pipes or coils projecting into the reac- .tion chamber areexposed to injury and may interfere with the operation of the platenacross the tank or steeping chamber of the press.

An object of the invention is to provide improved means for controllingthe temperature of the steeping solution-and pulp sheets during thesteeping operation, and for keeping the pulp and steeping solution at anapproximately uniform or constant' temperature; lwith which maximumemciency and uniformity in the cooling effect throughout the tank may beobtained; which will not be open to objections to which other types ofcooling means are subject; and which will be relatively simple, durable,dependable and inexpensive.

Such steeping presses are commonly made ,rather long, and a materialloss of time of the attendant occurs and unsatisfactory results obtainedif all the operations of the press must be manually supervised andoperated.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means forcontrolling the operation of the platen inboth directions, by which thepulp sheets may be compressed to express the excess steeping solution,and with which the squeezed sheets of pulp may also, if desired, beejected from the tank at the conclusion of the expressing operation.

A further object of the invention is to" provide improved means forregulating the operations o f the platen, by utilizing a reversible,variable,V

(Cl. 10C-5I) delivery pump; with which the platen may be operated ineither direction selectively and stopped and held in any intermediateposition in its possible range of travel; with which overrunning of theplaten beyond any selected position may be avoided; with which thedifferent oper- A ations of the pump to cause different movements of theplaten may be controlled somewhat automatically by the movement of theplaten; with which the speed ofthe platen may be automatically changedat diiferent points in its travel in the same direction; with which thepoints in the travel of the platen at which the automatic controls areeective, may be varied to some extent; with which the platen may bestopped antenatically at approximately its limits of movement in bothdirectiois if the operator should fail to set the automatic'controlsproperly, or should be negligent in operating the manual controls; withwhich the travel of the platen will at all times be subject to themanual controls, even if normally operating under the automaticcontrols; with which theautomatic controls may be rendered ineffectiveto effective at will and in a simple manner; andwhich will be relativelysimple, safe, dependable, durable and inexpensive.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means foroperating a platen, with which the speed of the platen in travelling ina given direction may be varied without stopping the travel of theplaten; with which the speed of travel of the platen in a givendirection may be changed at selected intervals in accordance with thepredetermined plan; with which the points at which the speed changes andthe extent and character of the change in the travel in a givendirection may be varied atA will; with which the positionof Vthe platenmay be accurately nxed duringthe drainage operation and automaticallyheld in this fixed position; and with which the speed of travel of theplaten may be progressively decreased at intervals in the path of travelof the platen.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription of one embodiment of the invention, and the novel featuresof the invention will be particularly pointed out hereinafter inconnection with the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a steeping press constructed in accordancewith this invention.

AFig. 2 is a plan 'of the same, but with sections broken out to decreasethe overall dimensions, andwiththep'artsshownonalargerscale;

Fig. 3 is an elevationv of the steeping tank ci the press and a part oithe operating mechanism connected therewith, andwith the parts on a"larger scale than shown in Fig. 1;

4 is a longitudinal. sectional elevation through one end of the steepingtank and the platen operating means associated therewith.

Fig. 5 isa side elevation of a portion of the steeping` tank and thecontrols for the platen when the platen is in a position in which thesteeping solution is being expressed from the pulp sheets, instead of inthe retracted position as shown in Fig. 3;

Flg.6isa planofthepartsshowninFig.5, and with the parts in the samerelative positions;

Fig. 7 is a transverse, sectional elevation through the operatingmechanism associated with the steeping tank, the section being takenapproximately along the line 'I-l of Fig. 8;

Fig. 8 is -a transverse, sectional elevation through the steeping tankat an intermediate point, the section being taken approximately alongthe line 8-8 of Fig. 3; and omitting the pulp sheets and interposedseparating or drainage plates.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the adjustable stop and theplaten-operated abutment of the control mechanism while in latchedposition with respect to one another;

Fig. 10 is a similar side elevation of the same parts, but with theabutment member carried by the platen shifted into a position in whichthe automatic rcontrol for stopping the press in an intermediateposition is rendered ineffective;

Fig. 11 is a transverse, sectional elevation through the parts shown inFig. 9, the section being taken approximately along the line II-I I ofFig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a similar sectional elevation through the parts of Flg. 10,with the section taken approximately along the line I2-I2 of Fig. l0;

, Fig. 13 is a transverse, sectional elevation through a part of thecontrols for the reversible pump, the section being taken approximatelyalong the line I3--I3 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation through 'the structure shown in Fig.13, and with the section taken approximately along the line I4-I4 ofFig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of parts which control one limit of movementof the platen automatically, and illustratingl a slight modification ofthe invention which may be incorporated in the embodiment of theinvention shown in Figs. 1 to 15;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary side elevation of a steeping press having acontrol mechanism of somewhat different construction for actuating thevariable delivery pump and controlling the platen travel;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary side elevation on a larger scale, of a part ofthis control mechanism, showing the means for coupling the platen to thecontrol rod or member;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary side elevation of a part of the controlmechanism, showing the parts in a diierent position to that illustratedin Figs. 16 and 17;

Fig. 19 is a similar view showing the latch' device in position -forengaging and shifting the control rod during a retractive movement ofthe platen;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section of said controlmeans taken approximately on the line 2li-2li, Fig. 18;

Fig. 21 is a plan view, partly in section of the spaanse steeping tankshowing its construction in detail,

the steeping press includes a steeping tank Il with the associated partsof the press omitted;

F1522 is afragmentary vertical section of one of the upright walls ofthe tank, taken on the line n n, Fig. 21; and 5 Fig. 23 is afragmentary, horizontal section taken through the horizontal bottom wallof the tank on line 23--23, Fig. 8.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention,

10 which is open at the top and which is closed at one end by a movableend gate or wall II. The opening closed by the gate II correspondsapproximately to the cross section of the tank, and the gate may belifted or otherwise opened at 15 the proper time inany suitable mannersuch as by uiting apparatus (not shown) attached to the lugs I2 on theupper edge of the gate. Since the means for moving the end gate initself forms no part of the present invention, and is old 20 in the art,the mechanism for operating the gate has been omitted from thedisclosure for the sake of simpliclty.` Disposed within the tank is aplaten I3 which is operable across or lengthwise of the tank toward andfrom the end gate- 25 II. The platen I3 is attached to a piston or ramIl which extends outwardly of the tank through a stuiilng box or gland I5 provided in the vertical end wall. I5a of the tank which is at the endopposite the gate I'I. The pulp sheets A to be 30 steeped are disposedon edge in the tank ID between the platen and the end gate II, and thetank is then lled with the steeping solution, such as caustic soda. 'Ihesteeping solution may be introduced into and withdrawn from the tank 35III by means of inlet and outlet pipes Illa and Illb, Figs. 1, 3 and 4.'Ihe side edges of the sheets A are disposed in spaced relation to theupright, longitudinal side walls of the tank, and the lower edges ofsaid sheets engage upon spaced ribs projecting upwardly-from the bottomof the tank, (see Figs. 2, 8 and'16) thereby facilitating the freecirculation of. the steeping solution in the xilalnk and intimatecontact thereof with the pulp eets.

Afterthe sheets A have soaked or steeped for the desired time, the tankIl is drained and the sheets then compressed by advancing the platen toa desired extent to squeeze out the excess steeping solution. 'Theplaten is-then retracted or operated in a direction away from the endgate so as to relieve the pressure of the sheets on the end gate.Y afterwhich the end gate is elevated or removed, whereupon the platen I3 isagain advanced along the tank toward the end 5 normally closed bythe endgate. In doing so, the pulp sheets A are .pushed out of the tank throughthe end thereof, -and fall by gravity into a suitable receptacleonconveyor, (not shown).

The pulp sheets A are separated at frequent intervals by separating ordrainage plates I6 which are apertured, and' at alternate intervals theplates may be double plates having drainage grooves therein. One ofthese drainage plates is shown in broken lines in Fig. 8. 'I'he drainageplates are supported in the tank III in a vertical position and guidedendwise of the tank by lugs I6a on opposite edges of the plates whichslide in channel guides I'I which are supported on the inside faces ofthe side walls of the tank and extend lengthwise of the tank. Extensionchannels Ila, Figs. 2 and 3, are arranged to move into and extend beyondthe open end of the tank that is normallyclosed by the gate II, when thegate is opened, so that as the platen pushes the pulp sheets, with theinterposed plates I3, outwardly through the end of the tank, the plateswill be guided outwardly by the extension channels and held againstdescent with the pulp sheets, the pulp sheets falling by gravity frombetween the drainage plates I6. 1

After this operation, the platen I4 is returned to its retractedposition shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the plates I6 returned to thetank and other pulp sheets A disposed between the plates. The gate isthen closed, the steeping solution returned to the tank, and a newsteeping operation may then proceed.

'I'he piston or ram I4 extends into a single action cylinder I3, Figs.1, 3 and 4. A source of actuating fluid, such as oil, is contained in atank I3 which is preferably mounted above the cylinder I3 in anysuitable manner. A pump 23 of the well known, reversible flow, variabledelivery type is mounted upon the tank I9, and is continuously -drivenby any suitable source of power, such as by a motor 2I which is directlycoupled thereto. The delivery of the pump is reversed by endwisemovement of a control rod or member 22, which, when moved endwise in onedirection causes the pump to deliver operating fluid to an outlet pipe23, and when moved in the opposite direction, causes the pump to deliverthe operating fluid to another pipe 24. When the control rod or member22 is in an intermediate position, the pump is set for neutral delivery,that is, it operates without delivery of any fluid in either direction.

The pipe 23 is connected to a pair of single action pullV back cylinders25 and the pipe 24 is connected to the main ram cylinder I8, the pipe 23being divided or forked so as to transmit uid simultaneously to bothpull back cylinders 25. The pipes 23 and 24 are also connected throughsuitable pressure release valves 26 and 21 respectively, to a commondelivery pipe 28 which opens into the tank I9. The pipes 23 and 24 arefurther connected to opposite ends of a differential or outwardlyopening double check valve 23, and this check valve is in turn connectedby a pipe 33 to the lower part of the tank I3.

This arrangement of the reversible flow, variable delivery pump, thetank I3 which forms a source or reservoir of operating liquid, thedifferential or double check valve 23, and the pipesA 23 and 24 leadingto the pull-back and ram cylinders 25 and I3 respectively, constitutes ahydraulic system or circuit.

As shown clearly in Figs. 1 to 8, the end of the main cylinder I3 whichis adjacent the tank I3 is provided with a transverse head 35, and atthat end of the tank which is adjacent the movable gate II, there is astationary transverse head block 36 which together with said cylinderhead is secured upon the floor or supporting surface. These parts 35 and36 are rigidly connected at each side of the tank I3 by a pair of tie orstrain rods 31. The pull-back cylinders 25 before mentioned are.disposedone at each side of the tank I3 between the respective pairs of tie rods31, the opposite ends of said cylinder being slidable in the cylinderhead 35 and secured in the head block 36, respectively. Each of thepull-back cylinders 25 is provided with a reciprocable piston 38, whichenters the cylinder through the head block 35. These pistons 33 havetheir free or remote ends rigidly secured together by a cross member oryoke which straddles and is guided for longitudinal reciprocatorymovement upon the main cylinder I3. A pair of pull-back rods 4| (Fig. 2)are secured to the yoke 43 and extend horizontally in parallel relationto the pistons 38. Each of the rods 4I passes through an aperture in thehead block 35 and through a gland or stunlng box in the upright end wallIla and into the tank I3, where it is secured to the platen I3.

When the variable delivery pump 23 is set to advance the platen I3,fluid under pressure passes by way. of the pipe 24 into the cylinder I3and acts directly upon the ram I4 to force the ram outwardly of itscylinder. At this time, fluid under pressure is not being delivered tothe pullback cylinders 23 and 26, and since the pull-back piston 33, theyoke 43, and the pull-back rods 4 I are connected to one another and tosaid platen, the pistons 38 will, of course, advance with the ram I4 andplaten I3. When it is desired to retract the platen I3, the pump is setto deliver fluid under pressure to the cylinders 25 and is withdrawnfrom cylinder I5. This causes movement of the pistons 33 towards theleft in the drawings, and through the yoke 43 and rods 4I retracts thplaten I3.

'Ihe features of this invention relating to the control means for thereversible flow, variable delivery pump 23 and the platen I3, exceptinsofar as it has to do with the movement of the platen when dischargingpulp sheets out of the open end of the tank described, may be used withsteeping tanks not provided with a removable end gate or wall, and inwhich the sheets after sieeping, are lifted out of the open top of thetank.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 14, the control rod or member 22extends lengthwise along one side of the tank I3 in parallel relationto, and directly over, the upper strain rod 31 at that side of the tank.Owing to its length and its consequent possible sagging or deflection,this rod 22 is preferably supported intermediate of its ends uponrollers or anti-friction devices 42 journalled upon collars or clamps 43secured upon said strain rod 31 and adjustable along the same.

The means for transmitting the endwise movement of the control rod ormember 22 to the reversible ilow variable delivery pump 23 to controlthe delivery of the pump are illustrated in Figs. 3, '1, 13 and 14, andinclude a transversely extending, horizontal operating shaft 45 (Figi.14) journalledv in a bracket 46 depending from the tank I9 below thepump 23, the shaft being provided at its inner end with a spur pinion 41meshing with a spur gear 48 secured on one end of a second transverse,horizontal shaft 48. This end of shaft 49 is journalled in the bracket46, while its other end is journalled in a second bracket 53 dependingfrom the tank I3. Intermediate of its ends, the shaft 49 is providedwith a pinion 5I Awhich meshes with a series of rack teeth 52 formed onthe adjacent end of the control rod 22. This end of the control rod ispreferably mounted in horizontal guides 53 formed, for example, on thebracket 46 and which permit horizontal, reciprocable movement of thecontrol rod and retain the rack 52 and pinion 5I in mesh with oneanother.

The shaft 43 is also provided with a sprocket Wheel 55 (Fig. 13)connected by a sprocket chain 56 to a small sprocket wheel 51 (Figs. 3and 7) secured to one end of a horizontal, transversely extendingactuating rod 63 disposed directly above the pump 23. The rod 63 has athreaded portion which extends into a correspondingly threaded sleeve 6Isecured in an upwardly extending bearing 62 mounted upon the pump 23,and the end of said rod 38 remote from the sprocket wheel 8l? is pivotedto a lever 88 in such a manner that endwise movements of the rod 88 inone direction or another will cause the pump toy be actuated in thewell-known manner of reversible flow, variable delivery pumps, so as tocause delivery of iluidunder pressure alternately to the pipes 28 and 24for the purpose described.

The operating shaft 48 is preferably provided with a hand wheel 85 whichupon being rotated in one direction or the other will, through theendwise movement of the actuating rod M effect the desired control oithe pump 28.

The described mechanism constitutes a manual means for controlling themovement of the platen I8 through the pump 20, and since the control rod22 is relatively lo'ng, owing to the length oi the tank I0, a secondhand control is preferably provided at the opposite end of the controlrod so that the operative may aotuate the latter from the end which ismost convenient. This second manual control comprises a hand wheel 88(Figs. l and 3) secured to the outer end of an operating shaft 89 whichis operatively connected through means identical with the other manualcontrol to actuate a pinion meshing with rack teeth on the adjacent endof thecontrol rod.

The arrangement of the manual control mechanism is such that, assumingthe pump to be in neutral delivery position and the platen I8 at rest inapproximately the position shown in Fig. 2, an advance of the platentowards the right from that position may be initiated by a clockwiserotation of either of the hand wheels 85 or 68, which will cause amovement of the control rod 22 toward the left. The platen I3 may bebrought to rest at any time by shifting the control rod 22 toward theright, by a rotation of either of the hand wheels in the oppositedirection to an extent such as to place the control rod in neutraldelivery position. The continuation of the movement of either of thehand wheels in the last mentioned direction will set the pump to deliveriluid in a reverse direction, and when the platen assumes the desiredretracted position, its travel may be. arrested by again actuating oneof the hand wheels to reset the pump 20 for neutral delivery.

In order to effect an automatic actuation of the control rod 22 forcontrolling the movements of the platen I3 through movements of thelatter,

I provide, on said rod 22, one or more stops or dogs, two such stops 12and 13 (Figs. 1 to 12) being shown. These stops are slidably adjustablelengthwise of the rod 22, and are secured thereto in any desiredposition by set screws 14 with lock nuts 15. Each dog or stop extendsfor a short distance above the control rod and terminates in ahorizontal fiat face 18 forming with the trans#- verse sides of thestops a pair of abrupt shoulders 11 and 18 (Figs. 9 and 10). The controlrod 22 is also preferably and additionally provided, adjacent each endof the tank I0, with ilxed stops or members 19 and '80 (Figs. 2 and 3).the purpose of which will be described presently.

Suitable means are provided whereby the stops -12 and 13 may be engagedto shift the control rod in one direction or another through movement ofthe platenl I3. For this purpose (Figs. 1 to 14) a laterally extendingarm 8l is rigidly secured to the platen I3, as shown clearly in Figs. 2,6, and 8, and which extends outwardly over the adjacent side wall of thetank I0 and at its outer end, terminates in an abutment block 82. Thelower face 83 (Figs. 9 to 12) of said block extends over the control rod22 in a position to clear the top faces 18 of the stops 12 and 18, andthe front vertical face oi' said block is formed with a vertical recess84 for the'reception oi a relatively movable abutment member 86, whichis mounted to swing about a horizontal pivot 85 extending across saidrecess 84.

This abutment member 86 may assume a depending, operative position inthe recess 84. as shown in Figs. 9 and l1, or it may be swung upwardlyinto an inoperative po ition, as shown in Figs. 10 and 12, about itspivot 85 through an angle of 180 degrees.

The movable abutment member 84 has transverse abrupt shoulders 88 and 89which, when the block is in its depending operative position, l5

are disposed to engage with the shoulders 18 and 11 of the stops 12 or13 in the advance and return movements, respectively, of the platen I3.

Upon a stud 80 extending forwardly from the front face of the dependingabutment member so 88, see Fig. 9, I pivot a latch member 8l, having ahooked nose or end 82. The abutment member 88 is provided with anoilsetv horizontal rest 83 (Fig. 11) which, when the member is independing position, supports the latch 9i in oper- 25 ative position inwhich it extends in a horizontal direction along' rod 22. The latch 8ialso has a terminal, inclined cam face 94 which, in the pressing travelof the platen I3 and abutment member 86 towards one of the stops 12 or13, 30

engages and rides over stop 12, and when the shoulder 88 of the abutmentmember engages said shoulder 18, the hook portion 92 of the latch willdrop down into engagement with thc opposite shoulder 11 of that stop,since the dis- 35 tance between the hook 82 and the shoulder 88 is equalto or slightly greater than the distance across the stop, thus latchingthe control rod or member 22 to the platen.

The pivot stud 80 for the latch 8| preferably V extends outwardly toform a handle, see Fig. 1l, by which the movable abutment member 88 andits latch 9I may be swung about the pivot 85 into the-upper orinoperative position in which the latch 9| rests upon the top face ofthe abutl ment block 82, as shown in Figs. 10 and '12. In thisinoperative position, these parts 88 and 8i will have no effect upon thecontrol member 22, since they then travel above and are clear of both ofthe stops 12 or 13, during the travel of the platen.

The operation of the control means described is as iollowsz-Assumingthat the platen I3 is in its `retracted position, shown in Fig. 3, andthat the pump 28 is in neutral delivery position, then the desirednumber ofpulp sheets A are placed' in the steeping tank I0 in interposedrelation to the separating plates I6, after which the steeping solutionis introduced into the tank and the pulp sheets allowed to steep for thenecessary length of time, after which the excess solution is drainedfrom the tank. Next the abutment member 86 and latch 9i carried therebyare swung into their upper or inoperative positions. The next step is'to advance the platen I3 towards the right, inthe drawings, to aposition in which it will apply the necessary pres- .sure upon the pulpsheets to expel the excess steeping solution therefrom, during whichtime the solution may be withdrawn from the tank.4 To so advance theplaten the operator, by appropriate manipulation of one of the handwheels of the manual controls, shifts the control rod 22 towards theleft, in the drawings, thereby placing the pump 28 in position todeliver fluid under pressure to the cylinder i8. After the platen in itsadvance has moved to a position in which the abutment member and itslatch Il have cleared the iirst stop 12 on the control rod, theoperative lowers the abutment It and itslatch Il into their lower oroperative positions, and then, upon 'continued advance movement of theplaten, the latch 9| will engage and ride over the second stop 12, itshooked end dropping into position in Aengagement with the shoulder 11 ofthis stop. At the same time the shoulder 88 of the abutment member 86will come into contact with the opposite shoulder 18 of the stop 12,thereby coupling or locking the platen and control rod together, so thatin the continued advance of the platen the control rod 22 will beshifted towards the right. This movement of the rod 22 causes thesetting of the pump 28 for neutral delivery, through the rotation of thepinion Il by the rack 52, and consequent rotation of the actuating rod80.

If, for any reason, the pump control rod 80 should movepast its neutraldelivery position, even to a slight extent, a reversal of the directionof delivery of the pump would occur, which would cause the actuation ofthe platen in the `opposite direction, or towards the left, but sincethe control rod 22 is locked to the platen by the engagement of abutmentmember 88 and latch 9| with the stop 12, a corresponding movement of thecontrol rod towards the left with the return movement of the platenwould be effected, thus immediately returning the pump again to neutraldelivery condition, and stopping travel of the platen, before the platenhas passed the position in which it should have been Stopped in itsforward travel. With the platen advanced to a certain substantiallyfixed position as determined by the stop 12, a certain pressure will bebuilt up on the pulp sheets as determined by the resistance to theforward rmotion of the ram. That is, the pump will build up whateverpressure is required to advance the ram to the de sired point and thiswill in turn build up the pressure on the pulp sheets. 'With the ramstanding in a certain fixed position, however, this pressure on the pulpsheets is `a constantly diminishing one because the solution is beingdrained out of the pulp sheets, and as it drains out the bulk isnaturally decreased, resulting in a drop in the pressure.

After the pressure has been held on the sheets for the necessary lengthof time, the abutment 86 and latch 9| are moved temporarily intoinoperative position and the platen then retracted sufficiently torelieve the pressure on the gate il, so that the same can be raised.'I'his relatively short retractive movement of the platen is initiatedbythe manipulation of one of the hand conf trcls, and as soon as themovement starts the abutment 86 and latch 9| are returned to operativeposition. The retraction of the platen continues until the shoulder 89of the abutment member 86 ngages the right hand face 11 of the other sopor dog 13, and through it shifts the control rod 22 towards the left tothe required dstance to place the pump 20 in neutral delivery condition,whereupon the retraction travel of the platen will be stopped. Theposition into which stop 13 is adjusted and xed, determines the stoppingpoint in this retraction of the platen, and is just suilicient torelease the pressure on the end gate of the tank and enable opening ofthat end gate.

The gate Il is then opened, and the control ing the sheet electingmovement of the platen,

the member 86 and latch Si should be swung into 1o their upper orinoperative positions so as to clear f the stop 12.

According to normal procedure, the platen i2 is arrested in itsadvanced, sheet electing position Just described by the actuation, bythe op- 15 erative, of one of the hand controls Cl or 68, but in theevent that this procedure is overlooked, the platen will be brought torest automatically by the engagement of the platen block 82 with the xedstop or part 80, before mentioned, at the right-hand end of the controlrod or member 22 which will result in the pump 20 being again reset toneutral delivery condition. The provision of the stop which is higherthan the stops 12 and 13, so as to be engaged by the 25 block l2regardless of the position of member 86 and latch 9|, therefore,constitutes a safety device preventing the platen I3 from advancingbeyond a safe extent. The same advantage is to be had when the controlmeans described is used 30 in connection with steeping tanks which arenot provided with movable end gates.

A'll'he provision of the second stop 12, which may be adjusted to anydesired position to stop the platen in accordance with the desiredpresg5 sure required upon the pulp sheets, which will, of course, varywith different conditions of the sheets and the number thereof, alsorelieves the operative of the responsibility of using his judgment as towhen to stop the advance of the o platen. When using only visualjudgment the results are certain to vary. The use of the stop,therefore, ensures greater uniformity in the results than is possiblewithout its use.

After the pulp sheets have been ejected and 45 the platen l2 brought torest in its advanced position, as just described, the abutment member 86and latch 9| are left in their inoperative upper positions, and theplaten kI3 is then started on its travel in the opposite direction bythe ap- 50 propriate manipulation of the hand wheel 65 or 68 of one ofthe manual controls, and when the platen I3 has been retracted to thedesired extent, another actuation of the hand wheel in a direction toplace the pump in neutral delivery 55 condition to stop the travel ofthe platen is necessary. If again the operative overlooks this step andfails to actuate the pump to place it into neutral, the other fixed stop19 near the opposite end of the tank I0 will be engaged by the abut- 00ment block 82 on the end of the arm 8| of the platen, and then thecontinued movement of the platen will shift the control rod 22 towardsthe left, in the drawing, and through it operate the actuating rod 60 ina direction to shift the pump a5 into neutral delivery condition. Thestop 19 is also a safety device which prevents the building up ofexcessive or unsafe pressure as the platen is retracted.

During the time that the platen is idle, and 70 in fully retractedposition, but with the motor 2i for the pump 20 still running, such aswhile the pulp sheetsare being placed in the tank I0, it is desirable toprovide means for preventing the accidental or unintentional actuationof the 'I5 control rod 22, as would be the case, forexample, if some oneshould accidentally turn one or the other of the hand wheels of themanual controls, or in case the control rod 22 should be shiftedunintentionally i-n any other manner.

For this purpose. Fig. 15, an additional latch |00 may be carried by theplaten |3, and for convenience is mounted upon the same pivot 80 as thefirst latch 3|, but the latch v|00 extends in the opposite direction tothe latch 9|, and at its free end is provided with ai hook portion lol.It will be remembered that the platen I3 was brought to rest in itsretracted position by the engagement of the abutment block 32 with theright-hand end of the stop 19, and the placing of the pump into neutraldelivery condition. If, therefore,vwhile the parts are in this position,the abutment member 08 is swung downwardly into 'operative position, thehook |0| of the latch |00 will extend across stop 19 and will engagewith the opposite end or left-hand of said stop l0, thus positivelylocking the control rod 22 and the manual controls against actuation.The member 86 should, of course, be returned to its inoperative positionto disconnect the latch |00 from the stop 19 or latch |00 lifted beforethe press is started again. The same procedure may be employed inconnection with with the other ilxed stop 30, if desired, to lock theplaten in its fully advanced position. Any other suitable means may beprovided for eecting these results.

In the foregoing description of the operation of the steeping press, itwill be understood that the platen travels in an advancing directionfrom its retracted inoperative position at an approximatelyuniformspeed, dependant upon the resistance encountered, since the pump isdelivering actuating fluid at a uniform rate. This speed may berelatively high, with the possible disadvantage or result that when thefull pressure of the platen is suddenly applied to the pulp sheets forsqueezing the excess solution therefrom, some of the pulp or steepingsolution might be forcibly ejected from, or thrown out of, the press,since at this time the sheets,

being full of solution, are relatively soft and wet. Also, possibly dueto the fact that the drainage of the solution from the sheets wouldoccur rst around the exposed edges thereof, leaving them relatively dryon these edge portions, while the center remains wet, a consequentforcing of the drier edge portions of the sheets from between .theseparator plates might result from the sudden action of the highpressure on the relatively wet pulp in the center of the sheets.

It may, therefore, be desirable at times to gradually slow down thespeed of the travel of the platen during its advance stroke, so that thepressure would be more gently and gradually applied to the pulp sheetsduring the operation of expressing the excess solution therefrom, apractical arrangement for this purpose being illustrated in Figs. 16 to20, inclusive.

In this construction, an operating rod |22 corresponding to rod 22 ofFigs. 1 to 15, carries a plurality of spaced, adjustable stops, forexample,

three, designated |23, |24 and |25, arranged approximately as shown inFig. 16, and which may be identical in construction with the stops 12and 13 of the previous construction.

'Ihe arm 8| (Fig. 20) of the platen is provided, adjacent the rod |22,with a block or supporting member |26 having a vertical face |21extending parallel to the axis of the rod |22, pivot |28,

on which is freely mounted a latch or member |23, projects horizontallyfrom face |21. A notch or recess |30 is formed in the lower edge oflatch |29 and adiiacent the recess and remote from the pivot |23, thelatch is provided with an inclined or beveled cam face or nose |3I. Thelatch also carries a short transverse pin |33 upon which is rotatablyjournalled a. roller |34, and this pin projects forwardly of the rollerso as to form a handle. The latch |20 is directly over the longitudinalaxis of the rod |22, and it rests upon and slides lengthwise of thatrod.

The operation of this control mechanism, assuming the platen to be inits retracted, inoperative position, Fig. 16, with the latch |29 restingfreely on the control rod |22, is as follows:-When the control rod |22is actuated in the proper endwise direction by one of the manualcontrols to start the advance movement of the platen, the latch |29,travelling with the platen, will ride along the control rod |22 untilthe lower cam face |3| comes into engagement with the first adjustablestop |23. Continued movement of the platen will cause the cam mi to rideover this stop until the notch |30 of the latch is disposed above andaligned with said stop |20 (Fig. 17), whereupon the latch will descendby gravity and latch itself to that stop |23 thus locking the controlrod to the platen.

As shown in Fig. 16, a relatively fixed projection |40 with an inclinedcam edge is carried at the upper end of a collar |4|, that is adjustablysecured to the adjacent strain rod 3l at the right of the stop |23 andin the path of travel of the roller |34 on the latch |29. 'I'he couplingof the control rod |22 to the platen by means of the latch |29 will, inthe continued advance of the platen, cause the rod |22 to be shifted tothe right, thereby actuating the pump control 60 in such a manner as toreduce somewhat the rate of delivery of the pump and hence reduce thespeed of travel of the platen which. of course, if continued wouldultimately result in bringing the pump to neutral delivery condition andstop the travel of the platen. However, before the platen is stopped,the roller |34 of the latch |29 engages and rides upwardly along theinclined cam |40 effecting the disengagement of the latch |29 from thestop |23, see Fig. 18, and as soon as the roller passes beyond the cam|40 the latch |29 will drop by gravity to its former position in slidingengagement with the control rod |22.

The platen will now continue its advance at a somewhat reduced speed, asa result of the foregoing operation. After further travel of the platen,the cam |3| on the latch |29 engages with the second stop |24 of thecontrol rod |22, whereupon the latch |25 will automatically lock itselfto said stop and again couple the control rod |22 to the platen. Theresulting movement of rod |22 with the platen will cause a furtherreduction in the rate of delivery of the pump and thereby a reduction inthe rate of travel of the platen in that direction. This second movementof the control rod |22, however, may also be stopped before it moves adistance sufficient to actuate the pump to neutral delivery position.since during this second increment of reduced movement, the latch |29will operatively engage a second cam |44 similar to the cam |40, and beautomatically disengaged thereby from the second stop |24. 'I'he latch|20 is again released as it passes cam |44 and again rides upon the rod`|22 as the platen continues its travel 'at the further reduced'speed.The latch |23, however.

eventually engages the third stop |25 on the con. trol rod, and bymoving automatically into locking engagement therewith will therebyshift the control rod |22 still further to the right. Since there are nofurther cams in the path of the roller |02, the platen will continue toshift the control rod |22 toward the right until such movement causesthe pump 25 to be' brought to neutral or non-delivery condition,whereupon the travel of the platen will be completely arrested. In thismanner the full, required pressure upon the pulp sheets is appliedgradually and gently, thus avoiding the possible .undesirable results ofa too sudden application of full pressure, yet obtaining maximum speedof operation of the platen.

Since the stops |25 and |24 and the cams |40 and |44 are relativelyadjustable lengthwise of the apparatus, said cams may be initially setto any desired relative distance from the adjacent and related stops |23and |24, so as to determine thereby the degree to which the travel ofthe platen is slowed down during each increment of movement 'of itstravel between the stops |25 and |25, thus providing a very flexiblecontrolfor the speed of travel of the platen. By adjusting the positionsof the stops |22, |24 and |25 along rod |22 and of the positions of thecams |45 and |44 with respect to the stops, the duration and point ofbeginning of each reduction in speed of travel of the platen can bevaried selectively, and any desired number of stops and cams may beernployed to obtain the desired number of increments of speed reductionof the platen.

When the control means just described is used `with a tank having nomovable end gate the platen may be permitted to travel withoutinterruption to its retracted position. To permit this thelatch|25maybeshiftedbythehandle luto an intermediate vertical position, asshown in broken lines in Fig. 19 where it is releasably held by means ofa kspring pressed pin |45, which yieldingly engages in a recess ordepression |41 on the rear face of the latch. In this vertical position,the latch will travel clear of the stops |25, |24 and |25 and of cams|40 and |4|.

If, however, the press is provided with a movable end gate, the platenshould be retracted sufficlently to relieve the pressure on said gate,to enable it to be opened for discharge of the pulp sheets A. For thispurpose the latch |25 may be swung through an angle of approximately 180by means of the handle |55, from the position shown in Figs. 16 and 18,to the position in Fig. 19, in which it extends towards the left fromits pivot. In this position of the latch |25, an abrupt shoulder |45thereofwill slidably engage fthe control rod |22. The notch |55 will, of

course, now face upwardly or away from the stops |25 and |24, and theroller |54 will be held in a position such that it will entireLv clearthe cams |45 and |44 in the movements of the platen. One of the manualcontrols can now be actuated to start the platen in the return directionand its travel will be arrested at an intermediate position by theengagement of the shoulder |45 of the latch with the first stop |23, |24or |25 it engages such as the stop |24, for example, which, of course,will shift the control rod to the left in Fig. 19, until the pump 2l isset to neutral delivery condition and the platen travel stopped.

If it is desired to interrupt the travel ofthe l platen at any otherintermediate point, the latch may be dropped to the position shown inEig. 19, after it has passed those stops on rod |22 which one desires tobe ineffective, thereby permitting engagement of the latch with anystop, such as the stop |25. After the platen has been thus retracted toan intermediate position and automatically or manually stopped and theend gate opened, the platen can thenl be advanced again `by actuation ofa manual control, to eject the pulp sheets, and may then be fullyretracted to open position, for refilling the press.

Preferably the control rod |22 is provided with fixed stops |45 and |45similar to the stops 1510 and 50 ofthe nrst construction, and with whichthe block |25 on the end of the platen arm is engageable, to stop theplaten at approximately the limits of its stroke, in the event that themanual controls are not actuated to stop the 1s travel of the platen.

One practical disclosure of means heretofore alluded to for controllingthe temperature of the steeping solution and pulp sheets during thesteeping operation in the tank l0, is illustrated in detail in Figs. 8,and 21 to 23. In this construction, the steeping tank |l| has itsopposite upright side walls |55 and its horizontal bottom wall |52, ofhollow construction. In other words, each of the upright walls |55comprises inner'and outer z5 plates |54 and |55 respectively, arrangedin spaced parallel relation, while the bottom wall |52 is similarlyformed of spaced inner and outer parallel plates |5`l and |55. Saidwalls |50 are closed at their upper edges and at the ends, theres0 byproviding a continuous narrow transverse chamber or passage from the topof one of the side walls |55 downwardly through that wall across thebottom wall |52 and upwardly to the top of the other side wall. Ajacketed tank wall is thus provided into which cooling liquid such asbrine or ice water may be introduced, preferably under continuousflowing conditions so as to thereby absorb heat generated in the tank.

Preferably, in order to facilitate a relatively rapid introduction ofthe cooling liquid into the jacketed walls of the tank, and to render arapid and uniform exchange of heat between the contents of the tank andthe cooling fluid, the space or chamber between the inner and outersections of the walls is divided transversely into a plurality ofseparate compartments. For example, three compartments |50, |5| and '|52are shown, which are separated by solid transverse walls or partitions|53 and |54, which, if desired, may be formed integrally with the wallsof the tank. As shown in the drawings, each compartment |55'|52 isprovided with separate inlet and outlet pipes |55 and |55 for theintroduction and discharge of the cooling liquid, said pipes preferablybeing cxtended into one of the upright walls |50 near the upper edgethereof, as shown in Fig. 8. In order to eifect a thorough and uniformcontact of thecooling uid with the inner surface of the tank walls,entirely across the tank,

each of the compartments |5|||52 is preferably divided into furthersub-compartments by transverse partitions |10. These sub-compartments,however, are not entirely shut of! from one another, since each of saidpartitions |10 is prov- .vided with an aperture as shown, for example,at |12, and preferably disposed at or near the tops of the side walls|50. These apertures are arranged alternately at opposite sides of thetank, or in staggered relation to one another, so as to provide atortuous path or passage for the now of the liquid from the inlet pipe|55 to the outlet pipe |55, of each compartment |50| 5 2, as shownclearly in Fig. 20. The liquid entering a pipe |55 will pass downwardlythrough the adjacent side ofthe first sub-compartment, transverselyacross the bottom thereof, and upwardly through the opposite sidethereof, thence longitudinally through an aperture i12 in the adjacentpartition .|10 at that side of the tank, and again downwardcompartment avery thorough and intimate contact of the cooling liquid with the innerportions of the tank walls will be eected. As a result a substantiallyuniform cooling action and corresponding rapid exchange of heat betweenthe cooling liquid and the contents of the tank will be made possible.

It will be understood that various changes in the details andarrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustratedin order to explain the nature of the invention, may be 'made by thoseskilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention, asexpressed in the appended claims.

1. Control mechanism for a steeping press of the type in which pulpsheets are steeped in a suitable solution, said press comprising a tankin which the pulp sheets and steeping solution are placed, a platendisposed in said tank and mounted for movement in a direction across thetank to squeeze the pulpsheets and express excess solution therefrom atthe end of the steeping operation, hydraulic means for forcing saidplaten in a pressing stroke, hydraulic means for retracting said platen,and means including a source of operating fluid and a reversible,variable delivery pump connected between said hydraulic means and saidsource of uid and forming therewith a hydraulic circuit for causingoperation of said platen selectively in opposite directions, saidcontrol mechanism including means cooperating with said platen forsetting said pump automatically to neutral delivery position at selectedpoints intermediate of the ends of the stroke of the platen in bothdirections.

2. Control mechanism for a steeping press of the type in which pulpsheets are steeped in a suitable solution, said press comprising a tankin which the pulp sheets and steeping solution are placed, a platendisposed in said tank and mounted for movement in a direction across thetank to squeeze the pulp sheets and express excess solution therefrom atthe end of the steeping operation, hydraulic means for forcing saidplaten in a pressing stroke, hydraulic means for retracting said platen,and means includinga source of operating uid and a reversible, variabledelivery pump connected between said hydraulic eans and said source ofiluid and forming ther with a hydraulic circuit for causing operof itsstroke in both directions for also setting said pump to neutral deliveryand stopping said platen automatically against further travel in eitherdirection.

3. A control mechanism for a .steeping press 5 of the type in which pulpsheets are steeped in a suitable solution, said press comprising a tankin which said pulp sheets and solution are placed for steeping, a platendisposed in said tank and mounted for movement in a direction fromone lupright wall towards the opposte upright wall so as to squeeze the pulpsheets and express excess steeping solution at the end of a steepingoperation, and hydraulic means including a reversible ow, variabledelivery pump for l operating said platen in opposite directionsdepending upon the direction of delivery of. said pump, said controlmechanism including a member extending along said tank in the directionof travel of said platen and mounted for movement endwise of itself,means connecting said member to said pump and operable by endwisemovement of said member in opposite directions from an intermediateposition to reverse said pump, and setting it for neutral delivery whensaid member is in said intermediate position, a stop adjustably mountedon said member and engageable by said platen at a selected intermediatepoint in the travel of the platen to move said member in a direction toset the delivery of said pump to neutral delivery and stop operation ofsaid platen, and a latch also carried by said platen for locking saidplaten to said stop automatically upon engagement therewith, whereby, ifthe platen overruns its movement and causes a reversal of the pump, saidlatch will .cause a reversible movement of said member with said platensufiicient to reset the pump to neutral delivery and hold it in thatposition.

4. Control mechanism for a steeping press of the type in which pulpsheets are steeped in a suitable solution, said press comprising a tankin which said pulp sheets and solution are placed for steeping, a platendisposed in said tank and mounted for movement in a direction from oneupright wall towards the opposite upright wall so as to squeeze the pulpsheets and express excess steeping solution at the end of a steepingoperation, kand hydraulic means including a reversible flow, variabledelivery pump for operating said platen in opposite directions dependingupon the direction of delivery of said pump, said control mechanismincluding a member extending along said tank in the direction of travelof said platen and mounted for movement endwise of itself, meansconnecting saidmember to said pump and operable by endwise movement ofsaid member in opposite directions from an intermediate position toreverse said pump, and setting it for neutral delivery when said memberis in said intermediate position, and a stop adjustably mounted on saidmember and engageable by said platen at a selected intermediate point inthe travel of the platen to move said member in a direction to set thedelivery of said pump to G5 neutral delivery and stop motion of saidplaten, one of. the cooperating portions of said stop and platen beingadjustable into a position in which the platen and stop clear oneanother upon further movement of the platen in-either direction, wherebythe stroke of the platen may be resumed and completed after its arrestat said intermediate point.

5. Control mechanism for a steeping press of the type in which pulpsheets are steeped in a suitable solution, said press comprising a tankin which said pulp sheets and solution are placed for steeping. a platendisposed in said tank and mounted for movement in a direction from oneupright wall towards the opposite upright wall so as to squeeze the pulpsheets and express excess steeping solution-at the end o! a steepingoperation., and hydraulic means including a reversible tlow, variabledelivery pump for operating said platen in opposite directions dependingupon the direction of delivery of said pump, said control mechanismlincluding a member extendingl along said tank in the direction ottravel of said platen and mounted for movement endwise Voi! itself,means connecting said member to said pump and operable by endwisemovement of said member in opposite directions from an intermediateposition to reverse said pump, and setting it for neutral delivery whensaid member is in said intermediate position, a stop adjustablymountedon said member and engageable by said platen at a selected intermediate.point in the travel of the platen to move said member in a direction toset the delivery of saidpump .to neutral delivery and stopmotion of saidplaten, and relatively fixed stops carried by said member for engagementby said platen as said platen approaches the limits o! vits movementinboth directions to cause a setting of the pump to neutral deliveryjust before the platen 4reaches the limits of movement ineitherdirection, said platen and the fixed stop engaged by the platen when theplaten reaches its retracted position having interlocking portions forreleasably locking the platen and stop together Vso as to prevent anaccidental operation of said member in either direction from neutraldelivery position.

6. In a steeping press ot the type in which pulp sheets are steeped in asuitable solution, and comprising a tank closed at one end by a gatemovable to an open position, a platen disposed in said tank and mountedfor movement across the same in adirection toward and from said sate andoperable to an extent beyond said gate to eject from said tank pulpsheets disposed vertically in said tank. and hydraulicrmeans including areversible, variable delivery pump for operating said platen in bothdirections. the direction dependim upon the direction of delivery otsaid pump and causing no operation ot said platen when said pump is inneutral delivery condition, the Acombination ot a control memberextendin tank in-the direction in which said travels and mounted forendwise movement, means operated -by endwise movement of said member forreversing said pump upon reversal of movement of said member and settingsaid pump to neutral delivery when said member .is in an intermediateposition, and a stop carried tion and stop further movement of theplaten in that direction, the engaging portions ot said platen and stopbeing relatively shiitable to clear one another and permit operation ofsaid member in a direction to cause vfurther movementof the platen inthe same direction, whereby, when said end gate is opened such furthermovement wbsntiliaed toeiect the pulp sheets fromsaid 7. In asteeplnlpresser-the type inwhichpulp sheets are steeped in a suitable solutionsand comprising a tank closed at one end by'a gate movable to an openposition. a platen disposed in said tank and mounted i'or movementacross the same in a direction towardlandrrom said gate and operable toan extent `beyond said gate to eject from said tank pulp sheets disposedvertically in said tank, and hydraulic means including a reversible,variable delivery pump for operating said platen in both directions, thedirection depending upon the direction of delivery ot said pump andcausing no operation of said platen 'when said pump is in neutraldelivery condition, the combination oi' a control member extending alongsaid tank in the direction in which said platen travels and mounted forendwise movement. means operated by endwise movement of said member i'or'reversing said pump upon reversal oi'rmovement of said member andsetting said pump to neutral delivery when said member is in anintermediate position, and a stop carried by said member and adjustableendwise along the same, and engageable by said platen at an intermediatepoint in its travel, whereby further movement of said platen in the samedirection will shift said member endwise in the same direction and setsaid pump to neutral` delivery position and stop further movement of theplaten in that direction, the engaging portions of said platen and stopbeing relatively shiftable to clear one another and permit operation ofsaid member in a direction to cause further movement of the platen inthe same direction, whereby, when said end gate is opened such furthermovement may be utilized to eject the pulp sheets from said tank, saidmember having adjacent the end nearest said end gate, a relatively xedstop engageable by the platen, whereby when said platen approximatelyreaches its limit of movement towards said gate it will engage saidrelatively ilxed stop and cause an endwise movement of said member intosaid intermediate position in which it setsV said pump to neutraldelivery, condition.

8. Control mechanism for a steeping press of the type in which pulpsheets are steeped in a suitable solution, said press comprising a tankyfor the solution and in which the sheets are vertically disposed, aplaten disposed in said tank and mounted for movement to and fro in thesame, and hydraulic means including a reversible, variable delivery pumpfor operating said platen the direction of delivery of said pump andcausing no operation of said platen when said pump isvin neutraldelivery condition, said control mech- -anism including a control memberextending along said tank in the direction in which said.

platen travels and'mounted for endwise movement, means operated byendwise movement ot said member for reversing said pump upon reversal ofmovement of said member and setting said pump to neutral delivery whensaid member is in an intermediate position, a stop carried by saidcontrol member and adjustable endwise along the same, an abutting memberon said platen which is engageable with said stop at an intermediatepoint in the travel of said platen to shift said control member and setsaid pump to neutral delivery position and stop further movement of saidplaten in the same direction, and a latch carried by said abutmentmember in a position to hook over said stop and latch said abutmentmember thereto when said abutment member is-in a position to engage saidstop, whereby if the overrunning of the platen, when said abutlli inboth directions, thedirection depending upon p ment engages and movessaid stop, causes a reversal of the pump. the latch will pull said stopin a reverse direction upon the initial reverse movement oi' the platenuntil said member resets said pump to neutral delivery condition.

9. Control mechanism for asteeping press of the type in which pulpsheets are steeped in a.

suitable solution. said press comprising a tank for the solution and 1nwhich the sheets are vertically disposed, a platen disposed in said tankand mounted for movement to and fro in the same, and hydraulic meansincluding a reversible. variable delivery pump for operating said platenin both directions, the direction depending upon the direction ofdelivery of -said pump and causing no operation ofsaid platen when saidpump is in neutral delivery condition, said control mechanism includinga control member extending along said tank in the direction in whichsaid platen travels and mounted for endwise movement, means operated byendwise movement oi.' said member for reversing said pump upon reversalof movement of said member and setting said pump to neutral deliverywhen said member is in an intermediate position, a pair of stops carriedby said member and adjustable into different positions along the lengthof the same, an abutment carried by said platen and shiftable thereoninto and out of a position in which it will engage :1 and operate eitherof said stops and, through it,

said member in a direction to cause a setting of said pump into neutraldelivery condition and stop further operation of said platen in the samedirection, and means carried by said abutment and operative when theabutment member is shifted into a position to engage a stop uponmovement of the platen to latch said abutment member to that stop uponengagement of the abutment member withv that stop, whereby upon anyoverrunning of the platen that would cause a reversal of the pump, thereverse travel of the platen, through said latch locking said stop tosaid abutment member, will cause a movement of said member in a reversedirection suillcient to reset said pump to neutral delivery condition.

10. Control mechanism for a steeping press or the like, said presscomprising a tank, a platen within the tank and movable across the same,hydraulic means including a variable delivery pumping device foractuating the platen in both directions across said tank, said controlmechanism'including means operable automatically by said platen atselected intermediate points in its travel' across said tank-forsuccessively varying the rate of delivery of said pumping device andthereby varying the speed oi' travel of said platen in correspondingincrements during its movement across said tank.

11. AControl mechanism for a steeping press or the like, said presscomprising a tank, a platen within the tank and movable across the same,hy-

means associated with said member and operable automatically by saidplaten at a plurality of selected points in its travel across said tankfor sluiting said member in the same direction a corresponding number oiincrements of said predetermined distanc'e, whereby the speed of travelof said platen is varied foreach increment of movement of said memberuntil the latter has been moved through said predetermined distance andthereby sets said pump in neutral delivery lo position in which themovement of said platen is stopped;

12. Control mechanism for a steeping press or the like, said presscomprising a tank, a platen within the tank and movable across the same,and 1.', hydraulicr means including a variable delivery pumping devicefor actuating the platen in both directions across said tank, saidcontrol mechanism including an endwise movable member which by itsmovement through a predetermined dis- :n tance in either direction froman intermediate position acts to reverse said pump and set the same forneutral delivery to thereby stop said platen, and means associated withsaid member and operable automatically by said platen while 2.',travelling at normal speed to effect a partial movement ofsaid membertowards the completion of its movement through said predetermineddistance, and other means disposed to be operable by subsequentmovements oi said platen at :lo successive selected points to eilectfurther increments of movement of said member to complete its travelthrough said predetermined distance, whereby the speed of the platen islowered step by step before being stopped by the arrival of said memberat the end oi' its predetermined distance of trav el.

13.` Control mechanism for a steeping press or the like, said presscomprising a tank, a platen within the tank and movable across the same,and 40 hydraulic means including a variable `delivery pumping device`for actuating the platen in both directions across said tank, saidcontrol mechanism including an endwise movable member which by itsmovement through a predetermined distance in either direction from anintermediate position acts to reversesaid pump and set the same forneutral delivery to thereby stop said platen, and means associated withsaid member and operable automatically b`y said platen while travellingat normal speed to` couple said platen to said member and effectmovement of said member towards the completion of its movement throughsaid predetermined distance and thereby reduce the speed of travel ofsaid platen, means for automatically uncoupling said member from saidplaten before said member reaches the end of its predetermined travel sothat said platen may proceed at reduced speed, and other means forlikewise coupling `said platen to and uncoupling it from said member atsubsequent selected .points in the continued travel of said platen sothat said member is actuated to reduce delivery of said pump and thespeed of said platen step by step until said member reaches the end ofits y

